Tumbling barrel

ABSTRACT

A tumbling barrel construction for cleaning metallics recovered from slag to a sufficient degree to enable the reclaimed steel scrap to be used in electric furnaces, comprising a reinforced concrete base including a footing and a pair of spaced pedestals extending upwardly therefrom and a slag-tumbling barrel in the shape of a rectangular solid and having a shaft extending therethrough and mounted within a sleeve rigidly affixed between opposite end walls with the ends of the shaft mounted in journals on the spaced pedestals, the barrel having two opposite sides each hinged at both opposite edges thereof for opening the barrel, the hinges on the opposite edges of each of the sides permitting the opening of the doors in the most convenient direction for loading and unloading, a reversible motor mounted on one of the pedestals and coupled to the barrel through a drive linkage, a brake associated with the drive linkage for stopping the barrel in any predetermined orientation for loading or unloading, and a ramp built on the footing and underlying a portion of the barrel for routing the dumped metallics to a predetermined location on the footing for easy access by a magnet which lifts them from the footing.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Clarence A. Hackett 1566 BronsonRoad, Grand Island, N.Y. 14072; Kenneth J. Hackett, 91 Delton St.,Tonawanda, N.Y. 14150 [21] Appl. No. 707,733

[22] Filed Feb. 23, 1968 [45] Patented June 1, 1971 [54] TUMBLING BARREL12 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 51/164 [51] Int. Cl 1324b 31/02 [50] Field oiSearch 51/164,16

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,806,194 5/1931 Ensslin 5l/164X 2,469,484 5/1949 Thiman. 5 l/164UX 2,843,979 7/1958 Lupo 51/1642,785,562 3/1957 Tigerman 51/164X 3,071,901 1/1963 Porter 51/164X3,078,623 2/1963 Stanley..... 51/164 2,264,846 12/1941 Huebsch 51/164XFOREIGN PATENTS 25,875 5/1915 Norway 5l/l64 32,163 7/1885 Germany 51/164Primary Examiner-Harold D. Whitehead AttorneySommer, Weber & GastelABSTRACT: A tumbling barrel construction for cleaning metallicsrecovered from slag to a sufficient degree to enable the reclaimed steelscrap to be used in electric furnaces, comprising a reinforced concretebase including a footing and a pair of spaced pedestals extendingupwardly therefrom and a slag-tumbling barrel in the shape of arectangular solid and having a shaft extending therethrough and mountedwithin a sleeve rigidly affixed between opposite end walls with the endsof the shaft mounted in journals on the spaced pedestals, the barrelhaving two opposite sides each hinged at both opposite edges thereof foropening the barrel, the hinges on the opposite edges of each of thesides permitting the opening of the doors in the most convenientdirection for loading and unloading, a reversible motor mounted on oneof the pedestals and coupled to the barrel through a drive linkage, abrake associated with the drive linkage for stopping the barrel in anypredetermined orientation for loading or unloading, and a ramp built onthe footing and underlying a portion of the barrel for routing thedumped metallics to a predetermined location on the footing for easyaccess by a magnet which lifts them from the footing.

PATENTEDJUN 11971 3,58 1 444 SHEET 3 BF 3 INVIENTORS Cl ARE/VGA.HM/(Efi' BY KmM/HJ. HACKEIT TUMBLING BARREL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to an improved tumbling barrelconstruction and more particularly to one which is used to cleanmetallics recovered from slag to provide steel scrap for use in electricfurnaces.

Many types of slag-tumbling barrel constructions have been used in thepast to remove the nonmetallic coatings from the metallics recoveredfrom the processing of slag, one of the most common being an elongatedbarrel with its rotational axis on an incline. The metallics to becleaned were dumped into the upper end and they dropped out of the lowerend after having traveled down the incline of the barrel during rotationthereof. However, the metallics recovered from the foregoing type ofbarrel were not sufficiently pure for use in electric furnaces becausethey were not tumbled long enough and the impurities which adhered tothe steel scrap, such as oxidation and slag, would destroy the furnaceelectrodes. Therefore, the same metallics had to be rerun through thebarrel many times before they were cleaned sufficiently, This was acostly and inefiicient process because it required multiple loadings ofthe barrel. It is with an improved tumbling barrel which overcomes theforegoing shortcomings of the prior art that the present invention isconcerned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly one important object of thepresent invention to provide an improved tumbling barrel which canprovide any desired period of tumbling, as required by thecharacteristics of the particular metallics then being tumbled, withoutattendant loading and reloading, as in previous barrel constructions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedtumbling barrel which can hold a massive load of metallics and which isof extremely heavy-duty construction so that it can withstand the heavypounding to which it is subjected, without requiring frequent shutdownsfor repair. A related object of the present invention is to provide animproved tumbling barrel which can be repaired simply and easily orreplaced with relatively little effort or expense, thereby contributingtoward economical operation thereof. Still another object of the presentinvention is to provide an improved tumbling barrel wherein certain ofthe brace members which are utilized to impart strength to the tumblingbarrel also serve the additional function of acting as breakers forremoving the adhering coatings from the metallics.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedtumbling barrel in which loading is facilitated because it can be loadedin a plurality of ways because it possesses a pair of doors on oppositesides of the barrel with each of the doors being pivoted at two oppositeedges for opening in any desired one of two directions.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedtumbling barrel in which the driving motor is located in a substantiallyout-of-the-way location where it will not interfere with loading andunloading, and in addition will not be in the path of the dumped productwhich can clog it and thus decrease its life and efficient operation.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedtumbling barrel construction including a base which is shaped to directthe tumbled metallics upon emptying of the barrel, to a predetenninedlocation for subsequent lifting by a magnetic lift. Other objects andattendant advantages of the present invention will readily be perceivedhereafter.

The improved tumbling barrel construction of the present inventioncomprises a base including a footing which is embedded in the ground anda pair of spaced pedestals extending upwardly therefrom. The tumblingbarrel itself is a box of substantially solid rectangular configurationhaving a hollow tubular member rigidly secured between opposite endwalls for receiving a shaft having ends which extend outwardly of thebarrel for mounting on journals secured to the spaced pedestals. Twoopposite sides of the barrel, in their entireties, are utilized as doorsfor opening the barrel for loading and unloading. Each of these doorshas hinges on opposite edges thereof so that it can be opened in any oneof two directions to facilitate loading and unloading. Furthermore, byvirtue of the fact that there are two doors on opposite sides of thebarrel, the barrel can be stopped in an upright position and will nothave to travel more than l from any given position in order to achievethis objective, thereby conserving power, considering the massive loadit carries. The motor for driving the barrel is mounted on top of one ofthe pedestals and is therefore in a generally out-of-the-way positionwhere it does not interfere with loading and unloading and also is abovethe dumped product so that it cannot be clogged or otherwise adverselyaffected by the product which is being dumped after the tumbling. Thebarrel has ribs on the inside thereof which act both to strengthen thebarrel and also as breakers for facilitating the breaking up andcleaning of the metallics. Furthermore, the outside of the barrel isreinforced so that it can withstand the shock incurred due to thetumbling of its massive load. Include as an element of the barrel driveis a brake for stopping the barrel in any predetermined orientation forloading and unloading. Furthermore, a ramp is built onto a baseunderlying the barrel so that the metallics will be directed to apredetermined location for easy access by a magnet type of lift whichlifts the metallics from the coatings which have been removed therefrom.

The present invention will be more fully understood when the followingportions of the specification are read in conjunc tion with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an end elevational view ofthe improved tumbling barrel construction of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the tumbling barrel construction shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 andshowing an end view of the tumbling barrel itself;

FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 ofFIG. 3 and showing the internal construction of the barrel;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the brake mechanism takensubstantially along line 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the brake mechanism taken substantially in thedirection of arrows 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing directions in which either one of thedoors, at its uppermost position, can be opened for loading;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 7 but showing the orientationwhich the barrel assumes during unloading;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the construction of onetype of external brace member; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the construction ofanother type of external race member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The improved tumbling barrelconstruction 10 of the present invention includes a base 11 and atumbling barrel 12 mounted thereon. For proper perspective as to thesize of the instant construction, it is to be noted that the tumblingbarrel 12 is capable of tumbling a 3 ton load of metallics recoveredfrom slag, and its dimensions are generally about 6 feet by 6 feet by 8feet, and the sides are fabricated from steel plates 1 inches thick.Generally the metallics which are tumbled are originally obtained bymagnetic separation from slag. As noted above, these metallics have anadhering coating of oxides and slag which are removed by tumbling in thebarrel of the present invention.

The base 11 includes a footing 13 which may be reinforced concreteapproximately 1 foot deep. Extending upwardly from footing 13 arereinforced concrete spaced pedestals I4 and 15. A ramp 16 extendsbetween pedestals l4 and 15 in the orientation shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 7and 8 for the purpose of directing the dumped mixture of metallics andcoatings knocked therefrom to a predetermined orientation on footing l3,namely, to the area 17, after dumping, where the steel scrap portion canbe conveniently lifted by a magnet. In addition, the ramp contributesgreatly toward the strengthening of the entire base structure, as it issecured to the base and the pedestals.

The tumbling barrel 12 itself is in the form of a rectangular solidhaving opposed end walls 18 and two pairs of opposed sidewalls, thefirst pair being designated by numeral 19 and the second pair beingdesigned by numeral 20. Plates 18 and 20 are suitable welded to eachother at their abutting edge portions to provide a rigid assembly.Plates 19 from doors on opposite sides of the barrel for loading andunloading. As can best be seen from FIG. 4, a hollow tubular member 21has its ends secured, as by welding, to the facing insides of end plates18 to rigidize the barrel. A steel shaft 22, which is approximately 7inches in diameter, is passed into tubular member 21 and has its endportions 23 extending outwardly beyond end plates 18. Shaft 22reinforces and is reinforced by hollow shaft 21. Plates 24 are affixedas by welding to the outsides of end plates 18 to rigidize them in thisarea. Keys 25 nonrotatably secure shaft 22 to end plates 18. The ends 23of shaft 22 are joumaled for rotation in bearings 26 secured to theupper surfaces 27 of pedestals 14 and by suitable nut and boltconstructions, not numbered.

At this point it is to be noted that tubular member 21, in addition torigidizing the tumbling barrel, also protects shaft 22 from deformationby the barrel contents which drop thereon during loading and tumbling.By protecting the shaft in this manner, its life is prolonged. If forany reason it is necessary to replace shaft 22, this can be done simplyby removing the caps 28 from the lower portions 29 of the bearings,lifting the entire barrel 12 out of its mounted position, as by use of acrane, removing keys 25 and thereafter moving shaft 22 out of tubularmember 21 to permit replacement with another shaft 22.

To load and unload barrel l2, sides 19, in their entireties, are used asdoors which can swing about either of their opposite edges. In thisrespect, each side 19 includes external spaced brace members or ribs 30continuously welded thereto along their entire lengths. The oppositeends of each plate 30 contain an aperture 31 (FIG. 2). Each of sides arereinforced by three pairs of brace members or ribs 32 which are weldedto sides 20 along their entire length to rigidize them. Each of ribs 32have apertures 33 at the ends thereof which are in alignment withrespective apertures 31 of respective plates 30 when the barrel isclosed, that is, when sides 19 and 20 occupy the orientations shown inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3. In this position pins 34 (FIG. 2) are driven throughaligned apertures 31 and 33 for the purpose of locking sides 19 to sides20. It is to be noted that a pin, such as 34, extends through each setof apertures, for a total of 12 pins, three at each edge where sides 19and 20 join. Each pin 34 has a head 35 and a removable locking pin 36driven therethrough, which can be removed prior to withdrawing pin 34.

By the use of a separate hinge construction at each edge of the box,each side 19 may be opened by swinging about either one of its edges.For example, in FIG. 3, if it is desired to open barrel 12 by swingingtop side 19 in a counterclockwise direction about its upper left-handcomer, it is merely necessary to remove the pins 34 which are located inthe aligned apertures 31-33 in the upper right-hand comer. Thereafter, acrane or the like engages tab 37 for pivoting the door 19 to an openposition to permit the loading of metallics into barrel 12. On the otherhand, if it is desired to open door 19 in the other direction, it ismerely necessary to remove the pins 34 which are in aligned apertures31-33 in the upper left-hand comer in FIG. 3, and attach the crane totab 38 and lift to cause side 19 to pivot in a clockwise direction aboutthe hinge provided by pins 34 located in aligned apertures 31-33 in theupper right-hand comer of barrel 12, as shown in FIG. 3. This sameaction can be obtained with the opposite side 19 when it is in itsuppermost position. Thus, as viewed from FIG. 3, the barrel 12 can beloaded from the right or from the left by means of a crane or mechanicalshovel or high lift, thereby enhancing the ease with which loading canbe effected. By virtue of the foregoing construction, if the pins onboth edges of either side 19 are removed, side 19 can be lifted in itsentirely away from the remainder of the barrel for loading, replacementor repair. At this point it is to be noted that tabs 37 and 38 aremerely plates, of the configuration shown, which are welded to the topof each center rib 30 as can be visualized from FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. Inview of the fact that each door 19 opens from opposite sides, it will beappreciated that in the event any one of pins 34 on either side cannotbe withdrawn because it becomes jammed, the door can be used as asinglehinge door until it is repaired.

The inside of barrel 12 contains a plurality of spaced ribs which extendabout the entire inner circumference. More specifically, ribs 39 areessentially elongated members which are secured as by welding throughouttheir entire lengths to sides 20, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Spaced ribsor plates 40 are secured as by welding along their entire lengths tosides 19. Plates 39 and 40 are in alignment, as can best be seen fromFIG. 4, and the edges of these plates, where they meet, are mitered at41 (FIG. 3). Ribs 39 and 40 serve a plurality of functions. First ofall, they reinforce sides 20 and 19, respectively, against the staticand dynamic loads to which they are subjected, and in addition, act inthe nature of breakers for knocking the adhering coatings from thesurface of the metallics as they drop down onto the edges of these ribsas the barrel rotates.

To complete the construction of barrel 12, additional rigidizing membersare located on the outside thereof. More specifically, boxlike members42 are fabricated on sides 20. Each boxlike member 42, as can best beseen from FIG. 10, is fabricated from angles 43 which have their edgesadjacent plate 20 welded thereto throughout their lengths and have theirabutting edges welded to each other at 44 throughout their length. Atselect spaced portions, cutouts 45 are provided for accommodatingexternal ribs 32. The ends of angles 43 are covered by a plate 46 whichis welded thereto (FIG. 10).

A similar boxlike structure is utilized to reinforce opposed door-plates19. More specifically, spaced boxlike structures 47 are secured as bywelding along their entire joining edges to plates 19. The exactstructure is shown in FIG. 9 wherein each boxlike member 47 is shown asconsisting of angles 48 having their abutting edges welded to plate 19along their entire edges. The adjoining edges of angles 18 are welded toeach other at 49. End caps 50 are welded to angles 48 in the positionshown in FIG. 9. At appropriate spaced locations angles 48 are cut awayat 51 to receive ribs 30.

It can readily be seen therefore that an extremely rigid boxlikeconstruction is obtained as a result of the use of inner ribs 39 and 40,outer ribs 30 and 32, and boxlike members 42 and 47 to provide astructure which is capable of withstanding the massive shocks to whichthe tumbling barrel is subjected.

In order to drive barrel 12, a reversible electric motor 53 is provided.This motor is mounted on a steel plate 54 which is suitably secured topedestal 15 by nuts and bolts, not numbered. Also mounted on plate 54 isa gear reducer 55 having an output shaft 56 carrying a sprocket which isencircled by a chain 57 which also encircles a sprocket 58 which iskeyed to barrel shaft 22. A suitable drive coupling 59 connects theoutput shaft of motor 53 to the input shaft 66) of gear reducer 55.

In accordance with the improved operation of the tumbling barrelconstruction of the present invention, a brake mechanism 61 is providedfor stopping the barrel 12 in any predetermined orientation, for loadingor unloading. This construction includes a pair of angles forming spacedsides 62 and a pair of angles forming a standard 63, all of which aremounted on plate 54. A guillotine type of brake is provided whereinlever 64 is keyed to pin 65 which is journaled between sides 62. Thehead 66 of lever 64 mounts pins 67 and 67' which ride in slots 68 inplates 69 and slots 70 in member 71. Member 71 has slidable connectionsat 72 with sides 73 which are rigidly secured to plates 69 and plate 74.Brake linings 75 and 76 are mounted on members 74 and 71, respectively.A brakedrum 77 is keyed to gear reducer shaft 60. It can readily be seenthat when lever 64 is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction about theaxis of pin 65 in FIG. 5, pins 67 and 67' will move in acounterclockwise direction. This will cause the frame which includesmember 74 to move to the right by virtue of the pin and slot connection78, 79 with standard 63. Also at this same time, the movement of pin 67downwardly will cause member 71 to move to the left so that there is asqueezing action placed on brakedrum 77 by brake linings 75 and '76.Whenever lever 64 is released, it returns to the position shown in FIG.5. Because of this construction the barrel 12 can be stopped in anydesired orientation. Any other suitable type of brake can be used.

The various orientations in which it is desired to stop barrel 12 areshown schematically in FIGS. 7 and 8. In FIG. 7 it can be seen that thetumbling barrel 12 is stopped with sides vertical and door sides 19horizontal so that upper sides 19 can be opened for loading the box. Inthis respect, the dottedline position shows how the top side 19 can bepivoted about the pins at 80 and in the solid-line position about thepins at 81. Thus the top plate can be opened from either side to enhancethe ease of loading. It will be appreciated that when the barrel ismoved 180 from the position shown in FIG. 7, the other side 19 can beopened also. Because of this relationship, as noted above, there is noneed to rotate the barrel more than 180 in order to have it assume aloading orientation, such as in FIG. 7.

In order to unload or dump the barrel, it is moved to the orientationshown in HO. 8 wherein the upper side 20 is at an angle of 45,downwardly inclined to the horizontal. However, before it is .moved tothis position, the set of three pins 34 at the upper left-hand position,that is, at 80 in FIG. 7 is removed so that as the barrel moves in acounterclockwise direction about its axis to the position shown in FIG.8, the door 19 will retain a vertical position as it moves away fromside 20 so that any tumbled product within the barrel will drop ontoportion 117 of the footing, and it is directed to this position byvirtue of falling onto ramp 16. In order to take in a new load ofmetallics recovered from slag after the previous load has been dumped,the barrel 12 is rotated in a clockwise direction from its positionshown in FIG. 8 to its position shown in FIG. 7 and the top 19 is openedby the use of a crane or the like, and after the barrel is filled withthe required charge, the removed pins 34 are replaced to the positionalong the edge at 80. After the tumbling barrel is closed, tumbling isagain efiected for any desired length of time to remove the coatingsfrom the metallics to obtain clean steel scrap for use in electricfurnaces.

It can thus be seen that the improved tumbling barrel construction ismanifestly capable of achieving the above-enumerated objects and whilepreferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, itwill be appreciated that it is not limited thereto but may be otherwiseembodied within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. A tumbling barrel construction comprising a housing having steelplate side means, door means in said side means, opposed steel plateends joined to said side means, shaft means extending outwardly fromsaid opposed ends, reinforcing means independent of said shaft meansextending between and attached to said ends within said barrel forreinforcing said barrel, said housing being in the form of a rectangularsolid and said side means comprising first and second opposed pairs ofsides, hinge means for hinging said first pair of sides to said secondpair of sides whereby said first pair of opposed sides will act as saiddoors for loading and unloading said barrel, said hinge means comprisinga first set of hinge means pivotally securing a first edge of each ofsaid first pair of sides to an adjacent edge of each of said first pairof sides to an adjacent edge of each of said second pair of sides, asecond set of hinge means pivotally securing a second edge of each ofsaid first pair of sides to an adjacent edge of each of said second pairof sides whereby said first sides selectively can be pivoted abouteither said first or second sets of hinge means, brace means on theoutside of said first and second sides for rigidizing said first andsecond sides, said ends being substantially parallel, and rib meansmounted on the insides of said first and second pairs of sides andextending generally parallel to said ends.

2. A tumbling barrel construction as set forth in claim 1 including abase for mounting said tumbling barrel including a reinforced concretefooting, spaced pedestal means extending upwardly from said footing, andjournal means on said pedestal means for mounting said ends of saidshaft means.

3. A tumbling barrel construction comprising a housing having steelplate side means, door means in said side means, opposed steel plateends joined to said side means, shaft means extending outwardly fromsaid opposed ends, reinforcing means independent of said shaft meansextending between and attached to said ends within said barrel forreinforcing said barrel, said housing being in the: form of arectangular solid and said side means comprising first and secondopposed pairs of sides, hinge means for hinging said first pair of sidesto said second pair of sides whereby said first pair of opposed sideswill act as said doors for loading and unloading said bar rel, saidhinge means comprising a first set of hinge means pivotally securing afirst edge of each of said first pair of sides to an adjacent edge ofeach of said second pair of sides, and a second set of hinge meanspivotally securing a second edge of each of said first pair of sides toan adjacent edge of each of said second pair of sides whereby said firstsides selectively can be pivoted about either said first or second setsof hinge means.

4. A tumbling barrel construction as set forth in claim 3 includingmeans on said first pair of sides for permitting attachment thereto foropening.

5. A tumbling barrel construction as set forth in claim 3 in cludingbrace means on the outside of said first and second sides for rigidizingsaid first and second sides.

6. A tumbling barrel construction as set forth in claim 2 includingmotor means for driving said barrel, and brake means for stopping saidbarrel in any predetermined position.

7. A tumbling barrel construction as set forth in claim 6 wherein saidmotor means comprises a reversible motor mounted on one of saidpedestals, and drive means coupling said motor to said shaft.

8. A tumbling barrel construction as set forth in claim 6 in cludinginclined ramp means on said base for directing material dumped from saidbarrel to a predetermined location.

9. A tumbling barrel construction for tumbling a massive load ofmetallics comprising steel plate side means, steel plate end means,means reinforcing said steel plate side means, shaft means extendingoutwardly from said steel plate end means, door means in said steelplate side means, means on said door means for detachably attaching saiddoor means to said side means along two opposite edges thereof tothereby permit detachment of said door means from said side means alongsaid both edges of said door means, said tumbling barrel being in theshape of a rectangular solid and said side means comprising first andsecond pairs of opposed sides, said door means comprising at least oneof said first pair of sides, combined hinge and lock means for joiningsaid at least one of said first pair of sides to said second pair ofsides along both opposed edges of said first side which are adjacent toan edge of one of each of said second pair of sides to thereby pennitsaid first side to be opened by swinging about any of two edges thereof,a tubular member having opposite ends rigidly secured to the facinginsides of said opposed ends, and said shaft means comprising a shafthoused within said tubular member.

10. A tumbling barrel construction as set forth in claim 9 includingsupport means for mounting said shaft means for rotation.

pedestals extending upwardly from said footing,journal means on saidspaced pedestals for mounting said shaft means, and an inclined ramp onsaid base means underlying said barrel for directing tumbled slag to apredetermined location upon dumping.

532 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3'58l'444 Dated June 971 Inventor) Clarence A. Hackett and Kenneth J.Hackett It is certified that error appears in the above-identifiedpatent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

[- Column 2, line 8, change "180" to -l80; line 22,

change "Include" to -included-; line 56, change "race" to brace--; line67, before "inches" insert --l/2.

Column 3, line 14, change "from" to -form-.

Column 4, line 6, change "entirely" to --entirety-.

Column 5, lines 74 and 75 (claim 1) cancel "of each of said first pairof sides to an adjacent edge".

Signed and sealed this 21st day of December 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER, JR. Attesting Officer ROBERT GOTTSCHALK ActingCommissioner of Patents

1. A tumbling barrel construction comprising a housing having steelplate side means, door means in said side means, opposed steel plateends joined to said side means, shaft means extending outwardly fromsaid opposed ends, reinforcing means independent of said shaft meansextending between and attached to said ends within said barrel forreinforcing said barrel, said housing being in the form of a rectangularsolid and said side means comprising first and second opposed pairs ofsides, hinge means for hinging said first pair of sides to said secondpair of sides whereby said first pair of opposed sides will act as saiddoors for loading and unloading said barrel, said hinge means comprisinga first set of hinge means pivotally securing a first edge of each ofsaid first pair of sides to an adjacent edge of each of said first pairof sides to an adjacent edge of each of said second pair of sides, asecond set of hinge means pivotally securing a second edge of each ofsaid first pair of sides to an adjacent edge of each of said second pairof sides whereby said first sides selectively can be pivoted abouteither said first or second sets of hinge means, brace means on theoutside of said first and second sides for rigidizing said first andsecond sides, said ends being substantially parallel, and rib meansmounted on the insides of said first and second pairs of sides andextending generally parallel to said ends.
 2. A tumbling barrelconstruction as set forth in claim 1 including a base for mounting saidtumbling barrel including a reinforced concrete footing, spaced pedestalmeans extending upwardly from said footing, and journal means on saidpedestal means for mounting said ends of said shaft means.
 3. A tumblingbarrel construction comprising a housiNg having steel plate side means,door means in said side means, opposed steel plate ends joined to saidside means, shaft means extending outwardly from said opposed ends,reinforcing means independent of said shaft means extending between andattached to said ends within said barrel for reinforcing said barrel,said housing being in the form of a rectangular solid and said sidemeans comprising first and second opposed pairs of sides, hinge meansfor hinging said first pair of sides to said second pair of sideswhereby said first pair of opposed sides will act as said doors forloading and unloading said barrel, said hinge means comprising a firstset of hinge means pivotally securing a first edge of each of said firstpair of sides to an adjacent edge of each of said second pair of sides,and a second set of hinge means pivotally securing a second edge of eachof said first pair of sides to an adjacent edge of each of said secondpair of sides whereby said first sides selectively can be pivoted abouteither said first or second sets of hinge means.
 4. A tumbling barrelconstruction as set forth in claim 3 including means on said first pairof sides for permitting attachment thereto for opening.
 5. A tumblingbarrel construction as set forth in claim 3 including brace means on theoutside of said first and second sides for rigidizing said first andsecond sides.
 6. A tumbling barrel construction as set forth in claim 2including motor means for driving said barrel, and brake means forstopping said barrel in any predetermined position.
 7. A tumbling barrelconstruction as set forth in claim 6 wherein said motor means comprisesa reversible motor mounted on one of said pedestals, and drive meanscoupling said motor to said shaft.
 8. A tumbling barrel construction asset forth in claim 6 including inclined ramp means on said base fordirecting material dumped from said barrel to a predetermined location.9. A tumbling barrel construction for tumbling a massive load ofmetallics comprising steel plate side means, steel plate end means,means reinforcing said steel plate side means, shaft means extendingoutwardly from said steel plate end means, door means in said steelplate side means, means on said door means for detachably attaching saiddoor means to said side means along two opposite edges thereof tothereby permit detachment of said door means from said side means alongsaid both edges of said door means, said tumbling barrel being in theshape of a rectangular solid and said side means comprising first andsecond pairs of opposed sides, said door means comprising at least oneof said first pair of sides, combined hinge and lock means for joiningsaid at least one of said first pair of sides to said second pair ofsides along both opposed edges of said first side which are adjacent toan edge of one of each of said second pair of sides to thereby permitsaid first side to be opened by swinging about any of two edges thereof,a tubular member having opposite ends rigidly secured to the facinginsides of said opposed ends, and said shaft means comprising a shafthoused within said tubular member.
 10. A tumbling barrel construction asset forth in claim 9 including support means for mounting said shaftmeans for rotation.
 11. A tumbling barrel construction as set forth inclaim 10 including motor means mounted on said support means, linkagemeans coupling said motor means to said shaft means for rotating saidbarrel, and brake means for stopping said barrel in any predeterminedorientation thereof.
 12. A tumbling barrel construction as set forth inclaim 11 wherein said support means comprises a footing, spacedpedestals extending upwardly from said footing, journal means on saidspaced pedestals for mounting said shaft means, and an inclined ramp onsaid base means underlying said barrel for directing tumbled slag to apredetermined location upon dumping.